Triton XXI, Lot: 63. Estimate $2000. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 27.86 g, 11h). Dated RY 14 (AD 129/130). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Zeus, holding phiale and scepter, reclining left on the wings of an eagle, head left, standing facing on thunderbolt; L IΔ (date) across lower field. Köln 1025; Dattari (Savio) 1879 & 7814; K&G 32.484 (this coin illustrated); RPC III 5743/27 (this coin); Emmett 1069.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 64 (this coin). Good VF, attractive brown patina with an area of green and red on the reverse.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XVIII (3 December 1991), lot 389.

Giovanni comments in his book that this coin is from the “period of the best artistic production.” Indeed, the portraits of Hadrian during this period are some of the most artistic ever created by either provincial or Roman celators.